Young Living Essential Oils was founded in 1993 by D. Gary Young in Lehi, Utah. The company is one of the pioneering brands in the modern essential oils industry, establishing itself as a leading producer and distributor of essential oils, blends, and oil-infused wellness products. Young Living operates its own farms and partner farms across the globe and has developed a vertically integrated supply chain known as the Seed to Seal quality commitment. The company has millions of members worldwide and operates in dozens of international markets.
Young Living offers an extensive catalog of over 600 products, including single essential oils, proprietary oil blends, nutritional supplements, personal care items, cleaning products, and beauty products. The flagship Seed to Seal program encompasses three pillars: Sourcing, Science, and Standards. This means Young Living controls or closely monitors every step from planting and cultivation through distillation, testing, and bottling. Popular products include Thieves essential oil blend, Ningxia Red antioxidant drink, and the Savvy Minerals makeup line. The company operates corporate-owned farms in Utah, Idaho, France, Ecuador, and other locations.
Gary Young began experimenting with essential oils and their potential wellness applications in the early 1990s after studying aromatherapy and natural health practices. He founded Young Living with the belief that pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils could support physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Under his leadership, the company grew from a small operation to a multi-billion-dollar global enterprise. After Gary Young passed away in 2018, leadership transitioned to a corporate management team and the Young family, continuing the founder s vision and expanding into new markets.
Young Living operates in more than 100 markets worldwide, with corporate offices, distribution centers, and farms spanning multiple continents. The company has significant market presence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America. Young Living employs thousands of corporate staff and supports millions of independent distributors, known as Brand Partners or members, who sell products and build sales organizations through the direct-selling channel.
The Young Living Foundation is the company s philanthropic arm, focused on supporting underserved communities through education, health, and empowerment programs. The foundation funds projects globally, including building schools, providing clean water access, and supporting anti-trafficking initiatives. Young Living members can contribute to the foundation through product purchases and direct donations, with the company covering all administrative costs so that one hundred percent of donations go directly to projects.
Young Living has faced scrutiny from regulatory authorities, including FDA warning letters regarding health claims made by distributors about essential oil products. The company has implemented compliance training programs to educate Brand Partners about appropriate product claims and marketing practices. Potential participants should carefully evaluate the business opportunity and understand that the majority of distributors may not earn significant income from the compensation plan.
Young Living employs a unilevel compensation structure with multiple bonus programs designed to reward personal sales, customer acquisition, and team development.
